Craig Shemin, President of The Jim Henson Legacy and author of the lavishly illustrated and meticulously researched new Muppets Character Encyclopedia (2014, DK Publishing), will present a program featuring memorable moments from the biggest Muppet stars, as well as rare highlights of some lesser known characters featured in his book. The event, on Saturday, February 22, at 1:00 p.m., will include video clips and a Muppet trivia contest with prizes, followed by a book signing. Copies of the book are available for purchase in the Museum store.
Among the featured games will be "Man or Muppet," where audience members will have to guess if an unusual name belongs to a real person or a Muppet character; "Piggy, Babs, or Both," in which contestants are challenged to determine if certain biographical facts pertain to Miss Piggy, Barbra Streisand, or both of the legendary superstars; and a Muppet Impression contest. While some video clips will be used in game play, other clips include a compilation of memorable moments from some of the characters featured in The Muppets Character Encyclopedia.
From Kermit the Frog, to Animal and Fozzie Bear, the whole menagerie of Jim Henson's Muppet creations are included in The Muppets Character Encyclopedia. Each page of this fun and friendly guide features a different Muppet profile packed with interesting facts about these beloved characters. The book also includes full bios of the characters featured in the upcoming movie The Muppets Most Wanted.
Leading in to this special program, the Museum will present daily screenings (at 1:00 p.m.) of three episodes of The Muppet Show from Monday, February 17 through Friday, February 21, during New York City public schools' Midwinter Recess. These three episodes feature guest stars currently being honored for their lifetime achievements: Rita Moreno, winner of the Screen Actors Guild Lifetime Achievement Award, and a Grammy-Oscar-Emmy-Tony winner, earned her first Emmy for her appearance on the series' debut broadcast in 1976. Steve Martin, who recently received an Honorary Award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, brought his act to Episode 208 (1977). Finally, Carol Burnett, the 2013 recipient of the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor danced her way through Episode 515 (1980), a dance marathon episode which won an Emmy for Outstanding Writing.
The Muppet s Character Encyclopedia event and Muppet Show screenings are recommended for ages 8 and older (although younger avid Muppet fans are certainly welcome!). Tickets for screenings are included with paid Museum admission ($12 adults / $9 seniors and students / $6 children 3-12 / free for Museum members). Museum members may reserve tickets in advance.
These programs are part of the monthly series Jim Henson's World, organized by Craig Shemin as guest curator. In 2015, the Museum will open a permanent gallery and exhibition devoted to the work of Jim Henson that will showcase 200 puppets, costumes, and other production materials, which were donated to the Museum by the family of Jim Henson. For more information about how to support the Museum's efforts and to get involved, please contact Director of Development Christina Marouda at
cmarouda@movingimage.us or by phone at
718 777 6844.
The Jim Henson Legacy is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization that is dedicated to preserving and perpetuating Jim Henson's contributions to the worlds of puppetry, television and motion pictures, special effects and media technology. More information at
http://www.jimhensonlegacy.org.
MUPPET, MUPPETS and the Muppets Characters are registered trademarks of The Muppets Studio, LLC.
